From Inglewood To Mandalore: Rick Famuyiwa Talks Taking Over ‘The Mandalorian’

Rick Famuyiwa has spent his career telling stories inspired by his time growing up in Inglewood, CA — from the coming-of-age films The Wood and Dope, to the Magic Johnson docu-series They Call Me Magic.

But it’s his latest project, as newly appointed executive producer for season 3 of The Mandalorian, that really hits close to home.

“The first film I saw in the movie theaters was Star Wars,” he told HipHollywood. “It shaped and changed me both as a fan and the idea that I’m telling stories in this world and I’m a part of Star Wars is pretty phenomenal. It’s hard to really believe because I feel like I’m actually now playing with real life toys. I was playing and making up all this stuff with action figures and now I’m actually doing it with the real deal. It’s weird.”

After writing and directing episodes of season 1 and 2, Famuyiwa was given the keys to the galaxy for season 3. So what can fans expect?

“We’re going to be reintroduced to a lot of the people we’ve seen before. Obviously, Bo-Katan is back and playing a major role this season. But then there are favorites like Greef Karga and Carl Weathers who are back.”

“It’s great to see where these characters are at this point in the timeline after two seasons, but ultimately it’s still that story about Din Djarin and Grogu and those adventures, and that’s obviously going to take us into new places.”

Season 3 will see the return of Pedro Pascal as titular hero Din Djarin as he and Grogu are on a mission to expiate the sin of having broken the strict code of the Children of the Watch. The cast also includes Katee Sackhoff who returns as Bo-Katan Kryze, Carl Weathers as Greef Karga and Amy Sedaris as Peli Motto.

Fans will have to watch The Book of Boba Fett to see how Din Djarin and Grogu reunite. (No spoilers here). But … if you binged season 1 and 2, we’re sure Grogu’s resurgence without explanation may seem a bit strange.

The Mandalorian season 3 kicks off with ‘The Apostate’, a lively, fun episode full of familiar faces, and fight sequences that sets up the next steps in Din Djarin and Grogu’s journey.

Famuyiwa (who directed episode 1 aka Chapter 17) wastes no time bringing back Karga and Bo in the season opener. Last time fans saw Bo was in season 1.  It’s clear there’s lots to unpack with her character and things will get greater later for her as the episodes roll on.

Sackoff played coy when when we asked about her big return and reuniting with Pascal.

“I mean, listen, Din Djarin and Bo are definitely on a crash course,” she said. “You know, Bo is taking on a bigger role this season and it is going to be very interesting.”

When asked how she prepared to get back into the role, she told us she just stuck to the script.

“I read the script. I read all eight of them and it was just the excitement started building. And then the moment that I got back to work and I put that suit back on for the first time again, it just all comes flooding back.”

Behind the scenes Famuyiwa reunites with Dope cinematographer Rachel Morrison who directs episode 2 (Chapter 18 ‘The Mines of Mandalore) with such magnificence and beauty taking fans into never-before-seen parts of Mandalore while also introducing new characters and creatures. Grogu and Bo-Katan also kick some underground monster ass and Din bathes in the “Living Waters” in episode 2 which will certainly make avid Star Wars fans excited.

Still it seems Famuyiwa, who also directs episodes 7 & 8, wants the Jon Favreau written season to be appreciated by the die-hard fan and the casual watcher.

“This is a very, very big moving ship with a lot of different parts,” he said. “I think that the end result is just so much hard work from so many different people and I’m just so excited for everyone to see it.”

Watch The Mandalorian now on Disney+